Short breaks to Amsterdam by ferry

The Dutch city of Amsterdam is famous as one of Europe’s fairy-tale cities for its glorious canals, lying in the shade of leafy trees that line its banks, its guildhalls and art galleries. Being so close to the UK, Amsterdam is the perfect place to escape to for a long weekend. The city is served by the enormous Schipol Airport, a major transport hub for destinations all over the world, and there are regular flights from most British cities. Most people aren’t aware, however, that one of the best ways to get to there is via ferry from the east coast of Britain.

Two ferries per day run between Harwich International Port in Essex and the Hook of Holland which is situated south west of Amsterdam. One of the ferry crossings runs overnight, allowing you to book a cabin and sleep on onboard so that you arrive rested and reinvigorated in the Netherlands. From the Hook of Holland it’s only a short onward journey to Amsterdam. If you’ve taken your car to Holland you will find that the roads to the city are clearly marked.

Once in Amsterdam, you will want to visit the city’s main attractions. Perhaps best known for its canals and their tree lined banks and the steady stream of barges, boats and water taxis are amongst the most iconic images of the city. The canals are the lifeblood of the city and more than 1,500 bridges connect the 90 tiny islands that lie under the streets of Amsterdam. The three 17th century canals that date from the Dutch Golden Age, the Prinsengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Herengracht, border on many of the city’s most famous buildings and are firm fixtures on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

One of the best ways to explore Amsterdam when you’re not breezing along the canals by boat is by bicycle. The Netherlands is a very flat country and the city of Amsterdam is no exception, making it ideal for cyclists. Most areas of the city have clearly marked cycle paths and drivers generally respect cyclists much more than in other countries. On your bike you can cycle around the Waterfront area, up the banks of the Amstel River, which is crossed by the oldest bridge in Amsterdam, and do a circuit of the canals, all without encountering a hill.

If you have taken your car to the Netherlands on the ferry to Amsterdam, you can even bring your own bike. Holland is a compact country, making it easy to drive to other Dutch cities such as Rotterdam, Groningen and Eindhoven and explore the local area from the saddle of your bicycle.

About the Author

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Author (pbuchanan). Submitted on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 Time: 4:49 PM

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